[PlayStation 5] Crypt of the NecroDancer Pinball Review

Crypt of the NecroDancer Pinball is one of the latest tables available for Pinball FX on PlayStation 5. Learn more about it in our Crypt of the NecroDancer Pinball review!

Crypt of the NecroDancer Pinball is one of the latest tables available for Pinball FX on PlayStation 5. Crypt of the NecroDancer is a hardcore roguelike rhythm-based dungeon crawler from indie Brace Yourself Games that was originally released in 2015. It later made its way to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in 2016, followed by a port to the Nintendo Switch in 2018. This led to the release of Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda on Nintendo’s console in 2019. It’s now 2023, so it’s time for the game to once again spin into something new.

Since this one is not based on any existing pinball table, Zen Studios was able to take some liberties to bring the original experience to the pinball arena. That means that, along with a 3D model for main protagonist Cadence, we’re also getting fire effects, pixel enemies and bosses to fight, a shop where you can purchase items to help you out on your run – more on this in a bit – and plenty of the elements you’re familiar with if you’ve played Crypt of the NecroDancer before.

With this table bringing us a fusion of pinball fun and rhythm game action, by hitting lanes or targets in time with the beat, you’ll be increasing your coin multiplier, which will, in turn, affect all the points that you get based on your performance and mighty skills. If the ball goes out while the music is still playing, the multiplier will be lowered by 0.5 while giving you a chance to carry on. Once the multiplier hits zero, then you’ll lose a ball, and your hearts on display will take a hit. There’s even a bonus mini-playfield to take on after beating a boss!

As you travel through each zone – which is the table’s way of splitting the challenges you’ll have to take on, you’ll need to be fast, or else you’ll run out of time and lose your ball! Complete a challenge, and small jackpots will be added to the lanes. You’ll start your run with a bomb, and you can buy another one from the shop after using it. If you turn your ball into a bomb, you’ll be able to hit a target to deal triple damage to it – damage that is added on top of any extra damage from the items you have on you.

After completing a zone, you’ll be able to access the shop by the bass lane. Once there, you can spend your hard-earned diamonds by using the flippers and the launch button to choose one of the available options. You could buy yourself the titanium sword for 7 diamonds so that every hit counts as two on enemies. Maybe you’d consider spending 15 diamonds for an extra heart – which will translate into getting an extra ball to play. Or you could get a ring for 7 diamonds that can double the points earned for combos.

Unlike pinball tables and pinball packs made available for the other pinball platforms from Zen Studios, there are no additional trophies to work on during your time with this one. That means you’ll still be working on unlocking all of the trophies included in the base Pinball FX. The list is split into 7 Bronze trophies, a single Silver trophy, and 2 Gold trophies. You’ll have to post a score in any official event, create your own tournament, unlock all rewards for a season, earn a gold or diamond event cup, unlock a table award, score 1,000,000,000 in total playing your tables, and play all game modes on a table. Unlocking your first collectible item, customize your profile with a badge, a frame, and a background, and play a game on any table. You will be unlocking collectibles and an award as you play each table, so you’ll at least get to see a pop-up every now and then.

Crypt of the NecroDancer Pinball is available for Pinball FX at a $5.49 asking price to add it to your collection. There’s also the option of taking the table for a spin as part of the Pinball FX Pinball Pass, either with a 30 days monthly pass for 150 Pinball Coins – which retails for $14.99 – or within a one-year pass for 1,200 Pinball Coins – which retails for $99.99. The Pinball Pass will also give you access to dozens of other tables, so if you’re a pinball fan, it’s certainly great value.

Disclaimer
This Crypt of the NecroDancer Pinball review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Zen Studios.